Washington, D.C. – The Club for Growth Foundation published its 2024 Wisconsin State Economic Scorecard, offering Badger State residents insights into each legislator’s voting record on economic issues.
The Scorecard analyzes policies and votes to assign an Economic Growth Score from 0 to 100, with 100 representing the highest support for pro-growth policies. In 2024, the Foundation reviewed 241 floor votes, scoring 13 Wisconsin Assembly and 11 Wisconsin Senate votes.
“Despite being vetoed, conservatives in the Wisconsin State Assembly and State Senate advanced key pieces of legislation during 2024, including nearly $2 billion in tax cuts for working families and seniors,” said Club for Growth Foundation President David McIntosh. “While these initiatives showed a desire to boost economic growth in the Badger State, unfortunately, legislators added $45 million to already bloated welfare programs and allocated over $400 million to higher education general expenditure funds. Lawmakers in Madison must reexamine how tax dollars are spent and create an economic environment that ensures Wisconsinites are positioned to succeed for generations to come.”
Click here to read the full 2024 Wisconsin State Economic Scorecard from the Club for Growth Foundation.
Key Highlights from the 2024 Wisconsin Scorecard:
Wisconsin Senate:
- Average Republican Score: 71%
- Average Democrat Score: 2%
- Highest Rated Republican(s): Sen. Robert Cowles (SD-2), Sen. Chris Kapenga (SD-33), and Sen. Steve Nass (SD-11): 84%
- Highest Rated Democrat(s): Sen. Tim Carpenter (SD-3): 17%
- Lowest Rated Republican(s): 17 Members Tied at 68%
- Lowest Rated Democrat(s): Sen. Melissa Agard Sargent (SD-16), Sen. Dianne Hesselbein (SD-27), Sen. LaTonya Johnson (SD-6), Sen. Brad Plaff (SD-32), Sen. Kelda Roys (SD-26), Sen. Jeff Smith (SD-31), Sen. Mark Spreitzer (SD-15), and Sen. Robert Wirch (SD-22): 0%
Wisconsin Assembly:
- Average Republican Score: 58%
- Average Democratic Score: 1%
- Highest Rated Republican(s): Rep. Shannon Zimmerman (HD-30): 91%
- Highest Rated Democrats(s): Rep. LaKeshia Myers (HD-12): 12%
- Lowest Rated Republican(s): Rep. Gae Magnafici (HD-28) and Rep. Jon Plumer (HD-42): 46%
- Lowest Rated Democrats(s): 32 Members Scored 0%
Notable Pro-Growth Legislation:
AB 1020 – TARGETED INCOME TAX REDUCTION
- Extends the state’s second individual income tax bracket from $28,640 to $112,500, lowering the tax rate for annual income earners between these figures from 5.3% to 4.4%
- Reduces taxes by $795 million in FY2025 and by $775 million on an annual basis thereafter
AB 1021 – MITIGATING TAXATION ON RETIREMENT INCOME
- For people aged 65 and older, exempts $75,000 in retirement accounts from individual taxable income or $150,000 for eligible married couples
- Reduces taxes by $1.1 billion through FY2026
AJR 6 – NEW CONSTRAINTS ON EXECUTIVE SPENDING
- A constitutional amendment that restores the duty and accountability of the state legislature to direct how federal money is spent by prohibiting delegating such power to the governor
Notable Anti-Growth Legislation:
AB 1086 – SUPPLEMENTAL MEDICAID SPENDING
- Appropriates $45 million for additional hospital reimbursements, nursing care enhanced reimbursements, and the state’s Medicaid-fueled complex patient pilot program
SB 792 – ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE BOONDOGGLE
- Creates an electric vehicle infrastructure program overseen by the Department of Transportation and funded through continuing state appropriations and all federal funds earmarked for such purposes
SB 895 – MASSIVE HIGHER ED SPENDING PACKAGE
- Appropriates $423 million in General Fund expenditures for construction and renovation projects for the University of Wisconsin
- Authorizes $110.2 million in new debt for the University of Wisconsin for campus restoration projects
Note: This Scorecard is based on selected votes and does not reflect a legislator’s entire voting record. The Club for Growth Foundation does not endorse or oppose any legislator for public office.